Credit: Yubin Instagram
Former Wonder Girls member Yubin has opened up about her family’s devastating health struggle, urging the public to support a national petition for life-saving treatment.
On September 1st, Yubin posted a heartfelt letter on her Instagram. “My eldest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and has endured years of treatment. Sadly, the cancer spread to her brain last year, and she continues to fight in pain every day,” she wrote.
Yubin shared that while her family has found an effective treatment, financial realities make it nearly impossible to access consistently. “I desperately want to protect her, even just a little longer. That’s why I’m asking for your help,” she said.
The petition Yubin promoted calls for the rapid approval of health insurance coverage for Tukysa (Tucatinib), a treatment shown to be effective against HER2-positive breast cancer that has spread to the brain. Although approved by Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in December, the drug is still not available domestically. Patients in urgent need must rely on costly personal imports.
The cost is staggering: two months of Tukysa can reach 30 million KRW (approx. 215,000 USD), and when combined with other cancer treatments, annual expenses can soar to 200 million KRW (approx. 143,000 USD)—none of which are covered by insurance. “It’s heartbreaking that families are forced to give up on a state-approved medicine purely because of cost,” the petition reads, urging swift government action.
“This isn’t just about my family,” Yubin emphasized. “It’s about whether countless patients can keep hope alive.”
Support quickly poured in from fans and netizens, with messages like, “Stay strong! I hope for the best outcome,” and “This reality is too cruel. Policy reform is urgent.” Now, attention turns to how quickly the petition will gain traction and whether Yubin’s plea can help push systemic change.
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